Lap-seam body-former.



L. G. KRUMMEL. LAP SEAM BODY FORMER. APPLICATION FILED we. 24, 1907.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

I SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES; .I

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ll'lllll L. G. KRUMMEL. 'LAP SEAMBODY FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1907. v 934,191 Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

AUG/MIL) L. 0. .KRUMMBL.

LAP SEAM BODY FORMER. APP LIGATION FILED AUG 24, 1907.

934,191, Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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WITNESSES.- INVENTOR. 6 0144/0 1? y I I 1 M Z! ////M% m1. A TTO 5y.

L. 0. KRUMMBL.

LAP SEAM BODY FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1907.

934, 1 9 1 Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

7'SHEETSSHBET 4.

A Hole,- 1i 1".

L. 0. KRUMMEL.

LAP SEAM BODY FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1907.

Patented Sept. 14,1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

IlIllllll W 11v VENTOR.

WITNESSES:

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L. G. KRUMMEL.

LAP SEAM BODY FORMER. APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 1907.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909. 'l SHEETS-SHEET 6.

L. c. KRUMMEL. LAP SEAM BODY FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1907.

934;, 191 Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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LOUIS C. KRUMMEL, 0F CLINTON, CONNECTICUT.

LAP-SEAM BODY-FORMER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

Application filed August 24, 1907. Serial No. 390,026.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, LOUIS C. KRUMMEL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Clinton, in the county of Middlesex and State ofConnecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lap-SeamBodyFormers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a lap-seam body former for can bodies, and hasfor its object rapidly and automatically to form theblanks into thecylindrical bodies for cans having a lap seam, and soldering the seam.The important features of my invention are a hollow shell fixed on somesuitable part of the machine and means, such as a pair of rapidlyrotating rollers, for receiving the can bodies in rapid succession andwrapping them around said shell into the cylindrical ,form of body withthe side edges slightly overlapping. Means must be provided, such as agage, whereby the position of the seam on the shell, while the body ispassing through the machine, is positively regulated. A series ofsubstantially cylindrical horns are provided, arranged respectively on aseries of trucks forming an endless chain, and adapted each in turn tostrip off a fori'ned body from the shell and to maintain it firmly inposition, while the various steps of tliiixing. soldering and completingthe seam or joint are effected. I'Vhen this has been completed. thebodies are stripped or removed from the horns by a special mechanismwhich I have devised. Means must be provided for expanding andcontracting the. horns, first to fit snugly within the bodies, and thento be loosened so that .thebodies may be removed.

Other features of my invention lie in the form, construction,arrangement and details of the various parts of the machine, though itwill be understood that there is nothing broadly newin the constructionof the fluxing, soldering, cooling and reheating mechanisms.

My invention'is fully shown in the drawings herewith in'which thereference letters and numerals of the description indicate thecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figures 1 and2 form together-a side elevation of the complete machinewith portions broken away. Fig. 3 is substantially an enlarged, frontelevation of the machine, but for clearness is taken as a verticalsection on line III III of Fig. 1 looking toward the rear. Fig. 4 is avertical cross section, on a similar scale to Fig. 3, taken on aline IVIV of Fig. 1 and looking toward the front. Fig. 5 is a cross section ona similar scale taken on line V V of Fig. 2 and looking toward thefront. Fig. 6 is an enlarged, longitudinal, vertical section'of aportion of the front end of the machine, showing one of the trucks inelevation. Fig. 7 is a partial, rear elevation of the upper portion ofthe machine to illustrate particularly the stripping mechanism. F ig; 8an enlarged, vertical cross-section of one horn and pair of jaws.

Fig; 9 is a cross section of Fig. 8 on line IX IX with the jaws removed.Fig. 10 is an enlarged, artial rear elevation, showing the position ofthe arms and the dies when holding the cylindrical body on the horn.Fig. 11 is a similar cross section to show the functionof the gage. Fig.12 is an enlarged partial View of the rear end of the machine, beinpartly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section.

In the figures, 1 indicates the frame of the machine having suitablelegs 2. At some point near the front of the machine is fixed the hollowshell 4, formed as best shown in. Fig. 4, with the opening 5, for thepassage of the horns on the trucks, and with the inturned edge 6 toprevent the tin sheet, or body blank, which is being wrapped by theoperation of the rollers around the shell in I the direction of thedouble arrow, from passing into the interior of the shell, but to causethe blank to, maintain its proper position on the exterior. "This shellmay be supported i in any suitable manner as by lugs 7 and bolts 8,below the central inner portion of the lower bracket 11, which issecured on the upper surface of'the frame 1 on each side by bolts 12.

The sheets or body blanks may be fed one by one by hand to the mechanismfor rolling them 011 the shell, but preferably are fed by some suitableblank feeding mechanism as best shown in Fig. 4, which may consist ofone end with pinion 0 and beveled pinion-"cl wherebythe rollers arerotated from the general drivinginea'ns to be: described. ltoller a'-issimilarly, journale d in upperbracket 2t by jits axles b, b'flhavingatthe front pinion c inmesh with pinion c.

foregoing see, particularly lPigs, 3, 14 and-,6,v

Said upper; bracket26 is hinged as alwhole to, ears 28 28, so that itand all ;its.parts may be swung out ofthe way, affording accessto, the Ilower rollers, etc, .as for the E purpose. of, removing. ablank, whichniay jjsometimes catch or jam. onthe upper bracket is arranged in frontof therollers a leading-bar. f to guide theblanks true to the rollers,and,

at I the rear, the inclined, guide-bar g to turn and deflect the frontvedgesaOfthe blanks downwardly and againsti the shell, sojthat they willcurl aroundit Said leading-bar and guide-bar, are, madeja part of orfixed on, a carrier 'hfwhich ijs evertically adjustable on theuppjer, orswinging,;bracket, ,to adj ust-v the bars in correct-relation to therollers and slightly to vary their positionas'for blanks.

of dififerent thicknesses, by means of adjusting screws 7' jand m Asbest shown in Fig; 4 screws 7'- y' are arranged in the top of theupperbracket 26 to engage with-the upper portion of the carrier ll,vertically to; adjust said carrier and the bars f and gwith relation,tothe spacefbetween the rollers-1. As; best shown in Fige gscrews m marearrangedj in the bracket 26 to engage with the front and rear endsof. the vcarrierto insure the; ar;-; rangement and maintenance of, thebars j and 9 true andparallel to;the rollers.i ,7 I" The-upperbracket'is locked to maintain: sa-id bars and; upper roller; in properposition;

by means of the forked, torperforatedyends ot'arms n, withv which engagesliding collars;

p on'bolts29 hinged to ears?" on thelower bracket, and provided withscrew-headsts and tension springs t, whosezpressure ortension on the nutmay be regulated byathe' screw-heads, to regulate. the I tension. of the1 1 upper roller on theblank and to permit the roller to adjust itselfto blanksot' varying) thicknesses.

bracket. a,

a 30 is a gage extending rearwardlygfrom the shell, whose purposeis toengage-the; frontiedge ofithe blank as it is coiled around the shell,and to maintain the longitudinal:v

joint-edges parallel and slightly separated and to fix theposition ofthose edges,.so that; when theblank is'stripped off the shellon to.

the horn, the edges in all cases will be in various operations, wherebyrpger'fecti; solexactly the same position, and the operationsorsolderiiigetc; be"""eflected with certainty,

ti -s ow in, igs. 1, 6 and 11; c v 1 As particularly shown in Figs. 8and 9,

area series of trucks or bases carrying, I, the horns "B,'and connectedby;l1Iil SCGf 'toform an endless uch'ain, whereby the body: 1

blanks coiled on the shell in cylindrical fornr are continuouslyremovect gth'erefrom and carried rearwardlyQ to he -,,s bjectecl" to:the

deredlap joint is produced Each truc t 1s? pIOVlflBtlWlth-fl,base1A,;isiniilarinifori to 1;

-the intermediate;connecting ;links}-G In" said bases-arearrangedaxles=33 3,3 to eon-:1 g

nesting the ltwo sets 01: links, aby mean of theirears and 35., ,Dn-tlaxlesigarev rrangedlthe' rollers 37 :1 ropaintonthepockets QfHth Bdriving sprocket wheels;

whereby the chainofttrucksisdriven Om 5 the truck; bases are-theshoes-10 ,1 which ride on theitracks ll; These shoes ibeingv flat and;elongated are less subjeet to wear thanroll-q' =3 ers (which wouldsooirget out ;o,f;tr.ue:),' andr being {well greased and the trucksnotheavy,there'islittle gfirictioni; As hownJin-a'Figa i 1 the tracks areshouldered; atAQjto mama the trucks and shoes in line, and may be cutaway or left ,unfinished ;atAheinkcenteiqs 143,-;

,On the-truck piece C;"}i s.= supportedthm horn consistin'g of-the' postportion lo -and? the cylindrical;portiQI ;B,: afield post-is; set atabout the front -end; of; 3 the; truck ghase and- 1 is arrangedtoqpassthrough the ope'ningfin the I shellmand thereby; to engage withthe; f blank and to stripthe latter from "the-Shelli?lhecylindrical,portion oftheuhornmayibe' arrangedtojproject.rearwardly.=fromlithe; ;e

post and a may desirablye be j forme'd ass:

shown of. a main Q member 47 ;secured ;directly on, the; post ;2 asmaller, on loose, mom-- 1- ber 48 is fitted to the main memben landvs'e-a cured theretoby one, or inore :tension springs 5 :50, whereby theihornz'may be contracted: at the proper time,. -making;lit easiert0;j-'strip;.110 the soldered body therefrom: ,iTo expand the 1hornrto.-.,p:tul a ze, there is afitted in a bearing52 gin the.,mainiportiomof: 1 1 the .1 horn v an'aexpanding-- pin; 53,-1havingitaperedttip and adapted to-be :forced rea wardly-H between the heads;correspondingly? beveledifclesire 2l;;-0.two hard steelcrewsE a V 55,one on each member of the horn.e- .:-The-u a .7 1 1 forwarder outerenduof-zthis expanding-pin 31 is a br1dgep1ece for. oonnectingithe.frontoand back portions of the swinging is connectedto the {upper arm ofa rbellecrank 120 lever- 561 :(Fig. 56'.)pivotallywsupported out, I thetruck base A: on 533: jandknormallyi forced; rearwardly' toaexpand-utliefihorni byzzipres' sure. of spring 60. QI1 :pln-,61',hinged ;to post? 45.- I A nut isfitted to thisgpin to adjust; thefi 2tension .of the spring; i 1z'llhe-lowert2arm ofi this lever ,56, isprovided [with a roller 59,? adapted to strike the track 100', aft'er thbody joint has beenlcompleted-, whereby the roller arm of the lever 1selevated, thejex-c i panding pin retracted and the spring 50 left freeto contract and loosen the horn. The

horn is self collapsing but the spring assists and holds the partstogether. As the horn carrying the body emerges from the shell,

there are swung up againstthe sides of they hrn, t-o hold the body inplace firmly there on, the jaws D and D journaled on the bearcircles on,the'pins (it. Jaw D is first rocked follow .around the edge. Die 65 isprefers.

in to hold the blank, by its roller (32 striking high point 101 on oneofthe tracks; jaw D immediately thereafter by its roller striking thehigh point 102 on theother track. (Fig. 1.) 65 and 66 are dies on theends of the jaws for engaging with the blank. on each side of the seam,which is maintained over an air space 67 in the horn, so that the seamportion can be easily heated and the solder ably adjustable, as shown,by means of a set-screw and lock nut The truck carries the can bodyfirst under a fluXin'g mechanism E which may be of any suitableconstruction, for instance a vessel 68 on a supporting.

arm (39 from which the flux flows through a tube 70 to a felt pad orroller 71 whereby.

. is smeared along the seam and follows the flux under the edge.Immediately from the soldering mechanism, the body passes under thewiper (indicated in Fig. 1), having a piece of felt or other suitablematerial to wipe off the surplus solder. The body then passes throughthe flame of the reheater H. in orderthoroughly to soak the solder intothe joint, whereby also any remaining solder is smoothed. (Fig. 2).lVhile this is being done, the lap is held down by the holdingbar SO,centered at its rear end on rear bracket S1 and resting by its weight onthe body; its front end is held down by the plunger 82 of a standard 83under the springtension of a spring 8-1 The body may then pass under acold air blast J, or other means for cooling the seam,

if desired. 1 Immediately thereafter the arms are swung away from thehorn by the engagement of the rollers 2 with the depress- 111g track 86thenrain tracks 111 here ter minate. The plunger 53 isthen retracted bythe engagement of thebellcrankroller 59 with the high point 100, and thehorn is contracted.leaving the'body loose to be I stripped off by thestripping mechanism.K

and delivered on to the dischargerod. 90, which guides it to anysuitable receptacle or other machine. The track 100 terminates below atabout 103 whereupon the horn is again tightened to normal size and maybe submitted to a brush, etc. to be cleaned if desired.

This stripping mechanism (Figs. 2 and 7) consists of endless chains 91having fingers 92 and operated on sprockets 93 93 at a higher rate of;speed than the drums,

for. instance, twice. the'speed. Evidently the fingers engage with thebody then loose on the horn and easily strip it off. The grooves 85 inthe horn afford a. path for the fingers, 91 is a bridge piece below eachhorn to hold the body true, so that it will not tilt and bind, but willstrip easily. v

Operatiny' shafts, gears, and (on/lecti0ns.'L andM are respectivelyfront and rear pairs of sprockets, formed to receive the truck axles intheir peripheral pockets 101, and adapted to operate the endless chainof trucks. Sprockets L are fitted to turn on the shaft N, longitudinallyadjustable in slots '97 by set-screws 95 supported in ears 96, to

adjust the tension of the chain. The sprock ets M are on the shaft 0,which also carries a large gear 98 meshing with a pinion 99 on thedriving shaft P, whereby the chain of trucks is driven. Power is appliedto the drivin shaft in any usual way as by pulley shaft122, arranged inbearings 12?) and ll-l,

respectively on the stud-bracket 110 and the lower bracket 20, andcarrying a bevel pinion 118 meshing with the bevel pinion (Z, on thelower roller axle 7), whereby the rollers are driven. As will be seen,the parts are geared up so that the rollers are driven at a high rate ofspeed, often desirably over 1000 per minute.

120 is a bevel gear on the-driving shaft 1 meshing with bevel gear 125on the feed drive shaft U in bearings 126 and 120, carrying the groovedclutch member 127 or sliding collar, fitted to slide on shaft U by afeather. The other clutch member 128 is on a tubular shaft in bearing120, carrying at its front end the sprocket 19 of the blank strippershaft 152 in the bearinglw Said bearing 1s titted by means of a tongueand engagement l) the bell-crank clutch lever 1230 hung at 131RIKliCOlIDO-C E QCl' to the arm" 132.01 1 :1 rock-shaft 1'3?) bylinlts135 and 136.

()nthis rock-shaft in line with the driving 'iy-slm tthei'e is tastened'a second arm H0, which engages with the belt-clutch shittingrod 141through a link' 142; on this. shiftingrod is a fork arm 1'4 engagingwith a clutch collar "145 to throw-"the belt clutch into-or outflot'ei'igagenient. wh fl Wu Outithei whole inachlne is stopped, i

T he arms 132 and 140 are so at 'anged on the rock shatt 133 that 'thefirst clutch is disengagml-betorcfthe belt-clutch andthe feed mechanismthus stoppedbetore the machine.

The rock-shaft isoperated by hand lever 11 -37. ()n the drive shaft Pisasprocket 140 connected'by a chain ,to asprocket I'e'lTOnthe groove tothe'bracket 159i bolted on the ma chine :frame," so that the bearing maybe longitudinally adj usted to tighten'the chains.

lhe' sprockets 93 maybe adjusted to or fronr eaelr other on said shaftfor different" sizes ot horns and cans.

On the under side the track l5lysupports the "trucks, while the track159, carried on braces 158, holds the wings. -Thu's as they returnbelowgthe trucks and horns may be inspected, cleaned etc; 7 r i Theoperation .ofthe entire mechanism will be unc'lerstood fron thepreceding deseription, but I desire tocallattention to the details ofthe horn, whereby-perfect sol-v dering vof "the joint is etfected,and atthe" same time impurities are excluded"fronrthe' interior of the can.The airspace, orgro ove",v "(57 in the top ofthe horn permitsquicksoldering of the joint-under the-soldering The metal 'hornQoperateSas'a' cooler, also the dics, so, without the air space, there" ironwould not be enough heat toflperi'nit the solder to flow properly. Asshown'in Fig.

lo llie'un'kler edge of the lap extends across the grooveandfengages'with the loose mun: berot' the'horn for a" shortdistance,-:for in vstance one-sixteenth inch. ;,'l.h1sunder;e'dge is thus cooledbycontactwitlrthe horn'and cannot be/ heated sulticiently in the timeallotted to the soldering to pern'iit the solder to-flow to the innermargin. ".lhere'lore this margin of one sixteenth-inch tends to chillthe solderiand absolutelfl'f to 'exeludeithe solder. ae deete. from theinterior-of the can.

clean, {'Ihedie G5 pinches the outer lap of the tin tight against thismarginal portion" I of the inner lap, which rests on the' horml andthuscoiiperates to prevent the lmpurl ties entering-the can orconlingnin contact with horn, and'also insures the production tion andhay of a good tlgllt-"jtillltdIt) will be undenst'(iod"1 I that the canbody edges do'not overlap until the body has fiasse'clfron' 'tl 1e shell'ori toftlief j" horn and: bevond'the 0.- 32fis fa stitf-f eningpiecefto naintain the I inipo 'ition.

l a 'i'f l y e cub my ,in v. 1 lion, \vhat'I claimfand desir' te-protect y Letters Patient, is i i 1. In. a"-la p-sea1nbody-form'er'ffor bo lies,tl1e combination with a-fsnbstantifallycylindrical, hollow, 'rneta'l shelhfdfmesihs for w rappingthe bodyblanks around 'theffshellg; 1 a. suitable carrier and aiseries ofsuitable mechanisms supported on tlie calriei'. for, r nioy'ing thebodifrom the sli'ell oi gbyone in rapid succession and tonniainta ningr theedges overl appi 11g, 5 and; ,ln eanslf for operating the carrier totransfer thef bodies :to1nechan isnis'forsoldering tlh i adapted:to-receiye -and 113150 body at the ,sz'ln' c tinie, and being'xsii sttially equal" in length a)- tli'e blal'ifk'sf.

2.1a a la i -seanifbody bodies, the combination til Icylindrical."hollowi, thinhie a1 sh'ell bein iitablysupported 1 A ingalong tudiiial opeiiin endto end, ofgnieansl to rap thei'c anfb one/byone a r'o1'1ndf th shell with th v tudinal body edges' -ad aeentaiid;paralle suitable carrier; a series ofsubstantitll V lindricalliorns'supportedonthecarrier a d1 of a smaller diameter tlianlhe'sheH aidflf100. shell to receive the cylindricalbbidies, by

one; from the shell and'tostransfer the'jbodies i toa'inechanisniforisolderingthesea-tn, {means-connected with" the horns 'f"'tain'ing the bodies in fpositio edges overlapping Whilethe "seam issoldered.

3.1111 a lap-searni bodyeforrnenlfor ca bodies, the combination with'substantia cylindrical, hollowf, thin'i nieta'l I ,h v i shfell beingsuitabl' snpportedfiir a fixed sition and having ;,longiti idinal'op'efning froni end toendfof hean. I to'wrap thefca bodiesoneby'0ne,;a-1 Q nd the shelhiwitlthe v longitudinal edges dong hich 'the'join isformed, arrange dfadjaeen't andj paralle suitable earrieig a series ofsubstantially lindrical horn, supported; 7 i t i of a smaller diznneterh an the shell fs id horns being a la qtjed, tobe n'i'oved through theshell and .to receive the' cylindrical ibotlies, one by O1ie ;fr ni 1eshell and to'itr fl i frf the bodies to amechpnisrn fon ldfrin' t- Iseam,fjai vs connected ith' the 11'o rns, and c means 61. 1 f Vagainstthe horns to maintain the bodies in p ositionfwith said edgesoverlappin While the seam being soldered];

horns being adaptedito be move ijthroughtthe LIn a lab-seam b i bodiesthe combination. withaf substantially i 3 horns, means to flux thejoint, means to apply solder to the joint, and means to reheat andfinish the joint, said meansfor fluxin soldering, wiping and reheatingadapted to operate on the joint while the bodies are moving, and meansto strip the bodies from the horns after the oints have been completed,said shell and horns being substantially equal in length andsubstantially equal in length to the blanks.

In a lap-seam body-former for can? bodies, the combination with asuitable frame, of an endless series of trucks, front and rear sprocketsadapted to engage with and move the trucks, means to rotate thesprockets, tracks for the trucks, a substantially cylindrical shellfixed on the frame and having a lower, longitudinal opening from end toend, a series of horns supported on posts on the trucks and adapted topass through the shell and receive the bodies therefrom, said postsbeing adapted to pass through the opening and to engage with the bodles,aws jourm ed on the trucks, means to swing the aws against therespectlve horns. when the horns have received the,

bodies from the shell to maintain the bodies and the joint in properposition for the subsequent operations, sepa ate means to flux, tosolder to wipe and reheat the joints, said separate means operating insuccession on the bodies moving rearwardly, a rear bracket, a holdingbar supported in said rear bracket and forwardlyextending to rest on thejoint of the body while the joint is bein reheated, a plunger suitablysu )ported and engaging with said bar near its ront end, and a springengaging with said plunger to hold the bar on the joint with a springtension.

, In a lap-seam body-former for canbodies, the combination with asuitable frame, of an endless series of trucks hinged together by axles,front and rearsproekets having pockets to receive the axles of thetrucks at the ends to move the series of trucks, means to rotate thesprockets, upper and lower tracks for the trucks, asubstantiallycylindrical shell fixed on the frame and having a lower, longitudinalopenin from end to end, a series of horns supporte on posts on-thetrucks and adapted to pass through the shell and receive the bodiestherefron'i, said posts being adapted to pass through the opening andengage with the bodies, jaws journaled on the trucks, means to swing thejaws against the respective belng horns, when the horns have receivedthe bodies from the shell, to maintain the bodies and the joint inproper position for the subsequent operations, separate means to flux,to solder, to wipe and to reheat the joints, said separate meansoperating in succe sion on the bodies moving rearwardly, a rear bracket,aholding bar supported in said rear bracket and forwardly, extending torest on the joint of the body while thexjoint is being reheated, aplunger suitably supported and engaging with said bar near its frontend, a spring engaging with said plunger. to hold the bar on,thQJOIIltwith a I spring tension, a'strippmg mechanism to strip thebodies from the horns in succession,

when the joints have been completed, and an inclined discharge rod toreceive the bodies from the stripping mechanism.

7. In alap-seam body-former. for canbodies, the combination with asuitable supporting frame for the parts, of an endless series of truckshinged together, tracks on the frame for the trucks, sprockets at theends adapted to engage with the trucks pass ing the sprockets, means torotate the sprockets to movethe series of tr'ucks constantly andsteadily forward whlle the various parts of the ma chine are 0 eratmg, asubstantially cylindricalshell fixe on the frame and having a. lowerlongitudinal opening, posts on the trucks adapted to pass through saidopening and strip the can-body from, the shell, cylindrical horns on thepostsiulapted topassthrough the shell and receive the bodies therefrom,each horn having a longitudinal top air-space, curved aws journalwl onthe trucks below the horns, supplementary tracks on the frame adapted toengage with projections on said jaws to swing in the jaws against thehorns with the jaw ends engaging the can-bodies adjacent theirlongitudinal edges first one jaw to maintain one of said edges againstthe horn slightly overlapping the air-space,ai'ul immediately thereafterthe second to maintain the outer one of said edges overlapping the firstedge, and means to apply solder to said edges, forming the seam. I v IR. In a lap-seam body-former for canbodies, the combination withasubstantially cylindrical, hollow, thin metal shell, said shell beingsuitably supportedin a fixed position and having a longitudinal openingfromen'd to end,-of means to w ap the canbodies one by one around theshell, with the longitudinal edges adjacent and parallel, a

gage extending rearwardly from the top carrier, a series ofsubstantially cylindrical horns supported on the carrier and of asmaller diameter than the shell, said horns being adapted to be movedthrou hthe shell and to receive the cylindrical bm ics, one by j one,from ts shell ,and* carry said bodies .lower longitudinal opening, agage extendbodies impositionbnthe horn with lon- 7 rearwardlyto amechanism for soldering the seam, and 'nieaiis"connectedkvith thefho'rns foi'jmaintaining"the bodiesii'n position with sai'dkdgesoverlapping,fivhile the seam is beings oldered.

f-9'. In alap-seam body-former for can i bodies, the "combination with-a suitable frame, of a'substantially cylindricahjthin, metal' sh'ellfixed onthe. frame and having a passed "beyond I the gage, to"niziiiitainthe gitudinal edges i overlapping.

- 10L1'n a "lap-seam body-former for can- Wrapthebl'ainks around theshell to form t-heil bodies, a series of expansible',horns, meansto.movethe horns through the shell: 7 toreceive in succession thefgbodies,mean'sf ,lyto expand the horns to mai-ntainthe' bodies firmly inposition, means to'fluX, so1der, and1 f f 1 fi nish the jointsof theblanks, means to vy'ithfdra'Wthe expandingmeans-from the horns q-when'thejointshafve been completeiand nijeansto-strip the bodies from thehorns/j .1 In a .la seamab dy-fer er for -7' q bodies, the combinatioi'1with a suitable sup"-' "40 -th bla k around'the shell, a series orexpansible horns,jm'eansto move the horns bodies," mea'ns'to ithdraw theexpanding niear'isfrom' th'e horns'when the joints have- '50, beencompleted, means to contract the horns,

through the shell to receive in succession the bodies, means to expandthe horns to maintam the bod esfirinly in position, means to andineanstostripthje bodies from the'com trn'ctcyd horns. I I l v 12. In alap-seam fbody-forn er forfcan bodies, the combination with a suitablesupporting frame, of a shell, fixed in a suitable" position on theframe; means to-wrap the.

v blanks around the shell into the'cylindri'cal V form forj thebodies,substantiallycylindrical horns, saidhorns being less in diameter than f;andiex pand the horns,- means to solder a'nd theshell and formed of; twoseparate parts, means to'move the horns throngh the shell to receive thebo diesin succession from'the' shell, a wedge-likepin ari'anged betweenthe b I ingi in'la combination a. sii'itabljeflsupporting" v ing'earivar'dlyffrom the top'of the shell I Jtein'porarily to engage withthe longitudinal edges of the body to insiij'retheir correct po-'sitioning for the joint soldering mech aiiism, Y 7 'aseriesOftlfilCkShClttPtd to passfthrough said openingfhorns on the posts topass v .thi'ouglrtheT shell and receivef'th'e bodies tl erefi'om,j'a\vsj ournaled on the trucks, and 'ifieans; to swing the jaws againstthe'horns, afterthe horns 'h'ave'received the bodies and shell havingits axis arra ngid lon' itndinallj "of the machine andl ha vi 'ig alongitndi'nal opening in itslower v qortion frOmTen'd ita end, theinetalfornii'iig'the faredge Jof'the 1' 'to' prevent the; blanks from enteringthei terior of the shell; slower I and-ii 1 rollers f f journaled'parallel and-adj acelit to i the 1 shell,

ing in acombination, a su tabiegsnp frame for the riarts, a substantia Wdricahhollow, thin metalsheet s'uita'b shellhaVingfitS axis arrangedi-longitn'dinally ;of the machine and 'havingfa longitudinal opening inits lower portion from endto end,j

adjacent to 1 the shell, means-gto i'otater; said r'oller's 'rapidlytowrap .the blanks-around fthe'she'llga leading-bai'fionl the carrier 1rranged in front'of"tlie rollers'iand havingan; 'incl'ned front face anda lowerifaceextendas they pass 'rea'rvvardly' from thefi'joller's, sowas to wrap themaronnd thefs'hell; b 15. In a lap-seam body-formin" inlime longitudinal grooves in their 1115p and means formovmg thev truckssecnre' tlie seams off 'the' withdrawthe Wed'ge-like'pin henthe' jointshave been finished,1a* spring]to' connectithe two parts of the hornsandto 'co iti'actthe horns, and 'means to strip the bodies f mbthe-contracted horns? i 13. 111v a lap-seam b9dy formerfforgcan'a"cylindrical' form'f with "thelongitndinal;

edgels adj'a centand' paralll, said means hay} fraliie-iforthe parts,a-siibstantiallyil ljin drical,'hollow, thingjnietal shell suitablypported in a fixed position on the frame said opening being turned in:at an obtuse angle;

and means tor( tatesaid rollersrapidlyfto" i r wrap thebla ksitroimdmheshell. 7* 14. In ala'p seain body-former fort bodies, means for formingtheffiat sheets into'a cylindrical-form with the 'long'itndin al edgesadjacent and parallel, said means haw,

porting "lili-fi ported in a'fixed position on the 'fraine', fsaid 166the metalforming thefaredgeo'f theopen ing being turned in tOTgiIidethejblanks' I it arohndithe.eiiterioi fof the}. shell, andf'uppe'rrollers 'jonrnaled in the fraine, parallel and a 5 ing rearwardlv towardthe o-peningbet veem;11o' the :rol1ers, and a guide-bar on thecarriei';a'r ranged behind the rollersandslightly flown v wardly inclined fromthelopeningflbetween" l 5' the rollers, to deflect the blanks downwardlmeans for"stripping theicylindricalb H fromgthe horns, when the jointasbeen soldered, having endless chains suitably Su -i. ported, fingers$011said"chainsfadapted to move in said horn-grooves and jen 'age "with1 1 the bodies, and means to operate said endless chains so that theywill move in the SRIIIGdlIGCilOH as the horns and at agreater speed. a

' 16. In a lap-seam bodyforming machine 1 the jointsare being soldered,trucks supporting said horns, a bridge piece rearwardly extending fromeach truck immediately below the horn, each liorn having parallel longi.tudinal grooves in its upper portion, and 5 means'for moving the trucksand horns past the soldering mechanism, and means for stripping thecylindrical bodies from the horns, when the jointshave been soldered,having in combination a bracket on the 30 frame of the machine near therear end, transverse bearings on said bracket, parallel strippershaftsjournaled in said bearings and extending over the moving horns carryingthe bodies having the complete joints, a vpair of adjustable sprocketsfixed on each shaft in alinement with said horn grooves, endless chainson said sprockets, fingers on said chains adapted to move in said horngrooves and engage with the bodies, and means to operate said endlesschains so that their under portions will move in the same direction asthe horns and at a greater speed. 4 '17. In a lap-seam body-former forcanbodies, means for forming the flat sheets into a cylindrical formwith the longitudinal edges arranged parallel and adjacent, said meanshaving in a: combination, a suitable supporting frame for the parts, alower bracket supported 011 the rear side of the ma- 40' chine andextending upwardly and toward the. front side; a substantiallycylindrical, hollow, thin-metal shell suitably supported in afixed-position on said bracket and below the portion thereof extendingtoward the front side, said shell having its axis arrangedlongitudinally of the machine and having a longitudinal opening in itslower portion from end to 'end, the metal forming the far. edge of saidopening being turned in at anobtuse angle to guidethe blanks around theexterior of the shell a lower roller journaled in the lower bracketimmediately above the-shell; an upper bracket-hinged to ears on thelower bracket toward the rear side ofthe machine and extending towardthe front side of the machine over the shell, a'

to be in mesh when the parts are in operative position, the axes of saidrollers being substantially in the same vertical plane, and arrangedparallel to and slightly forwardly of the axis of the shell; ahorizontal feed table arranged at the front side of the machine in frontof the rollers and at a level slightly below the opening there between,a feed mechanism to feed the sheets one by one "alon the table to therollers, a leading-bar on the carrier arranged in front of the rollersand having an inclined front face and a lower face extending rearwardlyadjacent to the table and toward. the opening between the rollers; aguide-bar on the carrier, arranged at the'rear side of the rollers, andsli htly downwardly inclined from the opening between the rollers todeflect the blanks downwardly as they pass rearwardly from the rollers,to be wrapped around the shell, forked arms on the front side of theupper bracket, screw-threaded bolts hinged to the ears on the lowerbracket in line with the arms, sliding collars on the bolts to engagewith the forked arms, springs and screw heads on the bolts to retain thecollars in position, and means to engage with the gears to rotate therollers rapidly in opposite directions to receive the blanks from thefeeding mechanism and to wrap around the shell, substantially as shown.

18. In a lap seam body forming machine for'can bodies having a suitablesupporting frame for the parts, a cylindrical shell with i alongitudinal. opening from end to end, and means to wrap the blanksaround the shell with the longitudinal edges slightly overlappin for thejoint, means for removing the bot ies from the shell and maintainingthem in position while the joints are being soldered and finished,having in combination the upperand lower truck tracks, sprocket wheelsat theends of the frame arranged at a lower level than the lower tracksandhaving peripheral pockets, means to rotate the sprockets, series oftrucks having front and rear perforated ears, axles fitted to said earsto connect the trucks by hinge joints to form an endless series, rollerson the axles engaging with the sprocket pockets whereby the series oftracks is moved forward, shoes on the trucks to engage with the uppertracks, a postat vthe front of-each truck to pass through the opening inthe shell and strip v the blank therefrom, the main member of asubstantially cylindrical horn extending rearwardly therefrom, a loosehorn member fitted to the main member and connected thereto by tensionsprings tending to con tract the horn, said members being formed toleave a longitudinal air space between them atthe top of the horn, andeach member provided with a longitudinal groove on opposite sides ofsaidspace and parallel thereto and at equal distances therefrom, hard steelI I J screws arranged n the inter orof the horn,

[one on each horn member, haying beveledheads arranged adjacent,anlexpanding pin arranged between said nut. and-the upper arm of thelever andadapted-to force the ex panding pin forward to cxpandsthe horn,a roller on the lower arm of the lever adapted to engage with a suitabletrack, or abutment, near the'rear end of the machine. to raise thelowerarm and retract the expanding. pin,'to

permit-the horn to contract and .thebo dy toe be stripped therefrom,after thejs oldering of the oint has been completed, aws curved tocorrespond to the forni oti the horiiand .journaled on each truck belowthe ho'r -n-pins distance from the fitted adjustably,,or rotatably, inthe outer; surface ofthe aws, set-screws to mainta n said P1118111position, axles arranged eccentrically on the pins, jaw-rollers on theaxles,

tracks on the frame having high points, one in advance of the other,arranged firsbto close the first jaw, to engage with the can body andpress it, tl h'tllllSl' l;.llQl'll with one longitudinal edgeoiterlapping theair space,

and immediately thereafter to close the secend-jaw toengagewith theothe'redgearnl press it doWn'onjand overlapping-the first edge, andbeveled dies intheends' of the jaws to engage with the can body, the dieon the end of the: second jaw being adjustable, so as to be arrangedtoextend a greater orless,

jaw, substantially as described andshowm- I r '19. In a lap-seambody-former for can bodies, the combination with a-substantiallycylindrical, hollow, thin metal shell, adapted to receive. the'canblanks one by" one, of-

lneans for wrapping the blanks around the shell, one by one, a sultablecarrler aserles ofelements supported on the carrier and bodies tomechanismsfor soldering the longir;

adapted each to remove a body from 0a the shell, means supported on thecarrier forre-Vr tainingthe bodies on said elements with thelongitudinaledges overlapping, and means for operating the carrier j to,transfer-the tudinal seam;

20;In a machine of the character" dcp-i f v f bodies, :the combination,With' "a metal shell, suitably. supportcdirr fixed "sitiom'of means toWrap the; blanks on ,7

scribed, the combination with a substantially cylindrical shell. of apair of rollers ar-' ranged substantially in contact and withtheir'axesparallel to the shell axis, sa id rol l 5 ers being placed adjacent to,the, shell and atv a higher level,- means to, deliver the blanks to therollers, means to rotate the rollers, to, receive the blanks from thedelivery means, and wraptheniaround the shell, a carrier suitablysupported above the rollers a.lead-;

, delivery'meansjand the roll sand at downwardly inclined guide bararjrari and means to adjust ,tl' e with the posts moving in the shellqoe n ,24. In a-"lap-seani to bodies, the; combi nationwith; a' hollow shthe o yon the ho m i g 1 jtudinal edges-to slightly over-lam an maintainthegbody in positions ile the. se; is hom soldered-.-- xi 25. I n a,lap'seambody-form c edges adj acent .1 ranerk a s ui ablei ca rier,means tov move the,{ carrier'- cont I therefrom, a pairofj'avvsljournaled a,

ing bar on the carrier arranged bet to the line ofcontact bet-Ween the jacent to the line ofcontact jhet ers at the opposite side from t withreference to the roller I 21, In a ;machine,.-of the i Q; scribed, asubstantially means to wrap the blanks aron one by one to form thecanpbodies, oi; horns andimeanstoflmovethe hornsthr igh' the shell, toreceive the bodies 1 on from the shell, leaving the shell, 4 ceiveanother. blank afterleach body has stripped therefrom.j i l 22, In amachineflo f: itllei' ehaptibtfll scribed, a thin metal, hollowshelL-hpostf-on eachcjtruclr, a hornron jeach means to wrap'th blanks ,aroundthg s h 'ell,

1 1 v a M m andm ens' nievethet u 5,;

forward and. the horns jthrough-ithe" to st p h ed l nks fr nefl'the shone blank on each horn; 1 a

I ma n a .f; he charaeter. d a i s bed, the mb n i n h a ubs antcylindrical shell, of means to, --.t vli'ap the bl around the shell warmtheibodifes; a series of substantially -1y1inrlrieal lhorns, mean ,tmove thehornsthrough the shellto st p the bodies therefrom, gsaidffhorns" be' formed of two parts, means; to separate said" parts to holdthe body tight'on the ho ,an means to withdraw said sep imtingdn nSggiimit .t-he'fhorn to contract; and "loosen th el of means to wraptheblanksrfor thebodies around the shell with the two; longitudinaledges substantiallyqin contact, as ,ie a, horns, means-to movethe seriesstripped from es the 'shellfsaid her to, be able to]; assit hroughthe'ksh mith one around the shell with the i-nalg;

a series of horns on thelcarrijer sai or being adapted :to pass-throughth she H ,and receive, one by one, the-.--wrapped= lank's to each hornon the carrier said jaws being formed to correspond to the form of thecarrier, and means to swing said jaws in against the horn to cause theedges of the blank slightly to overlap and to hold theblauk firmly onthe horn.

26. In a machine of the character described, means for curling theblanks one by one into substantially cylindrical form, means fortemporarily sustaining the blanks so formed, a series of constantlymoving elements adapted to receive the curled blanks removed by suitablemeans in succession from the sustaining means, said elements,

being provided with a longitudinal groove or air space, and means forclamping the blanks on saidelements with the oint edges of each blankoverlapping and at least. one

edge spanning the groove.

27. In a lap-seam body former for can bodies, the combination with meansfor curling the blanks and means for temporarily sustaining the blankssocurled, of a series of constantly moving, substantially cylindricalhorns to receive the curled blanks one by one from the sustaining means,said horns being each provided with a longitudinal groove or air spacein the upper portion of the curved surface, and means for clamping theblanks on said horns with the joint edges slightly over-lapping.

28. In a machine of the character described, the combination with ashelltemporarily to. sustain the blank curled into' substantially acylindrical form, said shell being closed above and having an opening inits lower portion, of means for keeping the oint edges of the curledblank separate While on the shell, and means for removing the curledblanks in succession from the shell.

29. In a lap-seam body former for can bodies,- the com'binationwithmeans for curling the blanks and means for temporarily sustannng theblanks so curled, of a series of constantly moving, substantiallycylin-" drical horns, arranged to receive the curled blanks insuccession from the sustaining means,- and means to clamp the blanks onthe respective horns with the joint edges overlapping, said horns beingarranged in succession with their axes substantially in alinement, andthe movement of said horns being substantially in the line of the axes.30. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor successively curling the blanks into substantially cylindricalbodies and holding the same temporarily supported, of a series oftraveling trucks, a horn on each truck, said horns-bein moved insuccession into the supported %odies, jaws on each truck, and means forclosing said jaws to clamp the bodies on the horns, with the joint edgesof the bodies overlapping in position for the operations of soldering.

'SIJIn a can-body forming machine, the combination with means fortemporarily sustaining the body blank formed into sub curling the blanksinto substantially cylindrical form, means for temporarily sustainingthe blanks so formed, a series of substantially cylindrical horns, saidhorns being formed with longitudinal grooves or air spaces,means to movethe horns to receive the blanks, one on each horn, from the sustainingmeans, a pair of jaws pivotally supported adjacent to each horn, one jawon each side, said jaws being normally open, and means to close saidjaws on the horns to clamp the blanks in position, said closing meansoperating to close one jaw before the other, first clamping one jointedge of the blank to span'the groove and second to clamp the other jointedge slightly overlapping the first edge.

33. In a lap-seam body former for can bodies, the combination wlth meansfor curling the blanks and an element for temporarily sustaining theblanks, so curled, of a gage arranged adjacent to said element tomaintain the joint edges parallel and temporarily separated, and to fixthe position of the joint, and a series of constantly moving elementsarranged to move adjacent to.

supporting the blanks so curled, of a gage arranged adjacent to theupper part of said element to maintain the oint edges parallel andtemporarily separated, and to fix the position ofthe joint, a series ofconstantly moving substantially cylindrical horns arranged to moveadjacent to the supporting element to receive the blanks one by one fromthe latter, said horns being formed in the upper portion of their curvedsurfaces with longitudinal. grooves arranged substantially in alinementwith the gage, and means for clamping the blanks on the horns with thejoint edges overlapping and at least one joint edge spanning the groove.

35. In a lap-seam body-former for can bodies, the combination with afixed metal shell, of means for curling the blanks and delivering themon to the shell, undva gage arranged at'the npper' portion of the shellto .maintain the oint edges, of the -.bl2f1nl s parallel and se mated. a36. In a lapseani body-ilmner; tor can bodies, the combination withaflfixed metal shell. of a gage extending, longitudinally; along theupper portion. of the shell and l'titllWYill'kll) therefrom to.niaintain the joint edges of the blanks tempoxarilY separated andparallel, means for curling the blank around the shell. substantially,oylindrioal horns of 'a diznneter corresponding with the dianietmr ot'the body to' betformed, means for moving the horns continuously throughihe shell to receive the bodies thereftomhone by one and means toclampthe bodies on the.

- horns.

wardl yftherefrom, 1 11 "name to this 5p ciliez bodies, the combinationwith a'fix'ed ele-- mentfof a gage-bar;extending, Ion

nally alongthe top of "I M V I d, elenieilt being open below, meansfor'ionrliiigthe fblal ilts ,a io u h d said element to ln'ingtheil,oppoitexjoint edges into engagement ivith tl-ie'; oppositesides of thegage-toil z' 'inta'in{saidedges epamted andparalleh' a}serieoffletantly' inm ing hoi'nslg" nieans" to move ,"the hoi'nsfbelow the gagebar to -eeeivethe'bodi'efnofii saidelenient onefby one,"a 1id;1 1iean"stoclan p In testimony :whereof I have two sub cribh \Vitnesses it

